Mechanism for driving contrarotating propellers



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 27, 1951 F. E. FULLER MECHANISM FOR DRIVINGCONTRA-HUNTING PRoPELLERs Filed Aug. 11, 1945 F. E. FULLER 2,543,453

ROTATING PROPELLERS Feb. 27, 1951 MECHANISM FOR DRIVING CONTRA- .5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. l1, 1945 F. E. FULLER Feb. 27, 1951 MECHANISMFOR DRIVING CONTRA-ROTATING PROPELLER 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet S5 Filed Aug.11,

mentes Feb. zv, 1951 MECHANISM FOR DRIVING OONTBA- DUTATING PBDPILLEBSFrcderienlfuilenwiiliamlporhmassignorto Aveo of Deia Manufacturing wareGeneration, a corporation Application AUM Il, 1545, Serial No. M226 (CL'I4-674) 80hm l The invention relates to mechanism for drivingcontra-rotating propellers.

-One object oi the invention is to provide improved mechanism i'ordriving co-axial contrarotating propellers which includes a powerinputwheel which may be driven from variable speed reduction gearing andincludes planetary gear sets and gearing ior driving one gear set in theopposite direction from the other.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism o! this type inwhich torques are produced by multiplicity of similar gear-toothcontacts.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism of thistype in which the load transmitted to the two propellers is divided a'tthe input gear.

Another object ot the invention is to provide driving mechanism o! thistype which is radially :Wymmetrical around the axes ot the propellerAnother object ot the invention is to provide driving mechanism ot thistype which is com- VFact in construction. adapted i'or heavy drivingoads. and comparatively light in weight.

Other objects ot the invention will appear from the detaileddescription.

' The invention consists in the several features hereinafter set forthand more particularlyV deilned by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of driving mechanism embodying theinvention.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Pig. 3 is a section taken on line 3 3 o! Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section oi a modiiled iorm o! the invention.

'Ihe invention is exemplied in driving mechanism which comprisesgenerally: two-speed planetary reduction gearing which is driven bypower from the crank-shaft a oi an internal combustion engine;clutch-mechanism which is driven by the two-speed reduction gearing; andgearing drivenbythe clutch L :m lor driving the shaft b of one propellerand the hollow shaft or sleeve c of a contra-rotating propeller. Thisdriving mechanism is enclosed in a gearcase which usually comprises arear-section il which may be secured to the iront oi' the enginecasing,a front-section il. and an intermediate section I1. The propeller-shaftb is iournalled in an anti-friction bearing d and in a bushing econilned in a socket in the iront oi the cranksbatte.'I'hehollowshaitorsleeveciordriving lil 2 a co-axiai second propeller isjournalled in an anti-friction bearing l mounted in the front gearcasesection i5. and also on shaft b. by a bushing f'. Bearing d is carriedby the sleeve c.

The two-speed planetary reduction gearing for driving thepropeller-shafts b and c from the crank-shaft a of an internalcombustion engine, at two speed ratios, comprises: a wheel, generallydesignated 2G, which is provided with a hub I3 on the front end otcrank-shalt n and secured to rotate with said shaft by splines 2i; acollar 22 and a nut 23 for securing wheel 2li against axial movement onthe i'ront end o! crank-shaft a; an internally toothed gear 2l on wheel2U; an internally toothed gear 26 on wheel Il and oi the same pitchdiameter as gear 2l; an annular series o! planetary pinions 2l meshingwith gear 26; a sun-gear 28 meshing with planetary pinions 2l and whichhas its rotation limited by a torquemeter. as hereinafter described; anannular series o! planetary pinions 2l meshing with gear 25; alow-.speed carrier 30 which is provided with integral studs 3l on whichplanetary pinions 21 are journalled for rotation on their own axes; asun-gear I2 of the same pitch diameter as the sun-gear 2l, on a ring I0*which is bolted to carrier 8B, and meshing with the planetary pinions29; a high-speed carrier 33 provided with forwardly projecting integralstuds I3 on which planetary pinions 2l are Journalled for rotation ontheir own axes and which includes a bodysection 3l and a hub l1 which isjournalled and axially conilned on the forwardly extending hub I l o!wheel 2t for rotation of carrier 33 relatively to wheel 2U; a hub 38 oncarrier 30 which is journalled on the hub 3l* oi carrier 33 for relativerotation.

The drive-wheel 20 comprises a body 20a which is integrally formed withthe hub I9 and the lnternal gears 2l and 26 are integrally formed on aseparately formed drum 20|. 'Ihe body 20a and drum 20" are secured torotate together by splines 2l which are intel-locked against movement byspring-rings 2li". Gears 25 and 28 have the same pitch diameter. pinions21 and 29 have the same pitch diameters. and sun-gears 28 and l2 havethe same pitch diameter.

In this two-speed reduction gearing. the high and low speed carriers andthe rotatable sunsears are co-axial: the internal gears 28 and 26 ondrive-wheel 2li rotate co-axially with the carriers and the planetarymovement oi' the pinions is around the axes of the internal gears andthe carriers. The high-speed carrier I3 is journalled en the hub oidrive-wheel 20 and the low-speed asienta carrier 80 is Journalled'on thehub 31* oi highspeed carrier 33. This arrangement provides a compactconstruction which is an advantageous mechanism i'or driving propellers.

A rotatable and axially slldable clutch-sleeve 48 is engageable withcarrier 32 for driving the propeller at the low-speed ratio and withcarrier 33. for driving it at the high-speed ratio. An internalperipheral portion of hub 34 of carrier 30 is provided with an integralannular series of clutchteeth 40 which are engageable with matingclutch-teeth 41 on sleeve 48 for driving the sleeve and propellers atthe low-speed ratio. An internal peripheral portion of hub 21* ofcarrier 23 is provided with an annular s eries of clutch-teeth 4| whichare engageable by a mating series of clutch-teeth 43 on clutch-sleeve 44for driving said sleeve and the propellers at the high-speed ratio. Theinner end of clutchsleeve 44 is slidably supported and lournalled forrelative rotation, as at 48, on the hub 31 of section 3l of carrier 33.When clutch-teeth 41 on sleeve 4l are engaged by axial sliding movementof the sleeve with clutch-teeth 40 on carrier 20. said sleeve will bedriven by the two-speed reduction gearing at the low-speed ratio. Whensleeve 48 is shifted axially to engage its clutchteeth 4l withclutch-teeth 4| on carrier 33, said sleeve will be driven by thetwo-speed reduction gearing at the high-speed ratio. When theclutch-sleeve 4l is axially positioned with its teeth 41 and 48 betweenclutch-teeth 40 and 4|. said sleeve will be in its neutral position anduncoupled from the two-speed reduction gearing.

The sun-gear 28 is heid against rotation relatively to the internallytoothed gear 2B on drivewheel 20, in co-action with gear 25, forimparting planetary movement to pinions 21 and driving the high speedcarrier 33 and the low-speed carrier 30 under control of a torque-meterwhich is used to operate an indicator (not shown) for torque beingdelivered by the engine to the two speed reduction gearing. Thistorque-meter may be of any construction known in the art.

Mechanism for axially shifting the clutchsleeve 46 for controlling thespeed ratio at which the propeller-shafts b and c are driven, isexemplliied by a non-rotatable shifter-collar which is provided with aninwardly extending flange 9| which is connned between an annularshoulder 82 and a collar 83 on, and for slidably shifting sleeve 46while the latter is rotating; diametrically opposite pivot-studs 94 oncollar 80; arms 0l having their distal ends pivotally connected to studs84, and a torque-rod 29 extending through and secured to arms 88. Thetorque-rod 08 may be connected in any suitable manner for remotecontrol, usually by a hydraulic Apiston and cylinder which are adaptedto provide torque for rocking arms to shift clutch-sleeve 46 between itshigh-speed and lowspeed driving positions.

A balk-ring 10 extends around the clutchteeth 41 and 48 on clutch-sleeve48 for restraining the engagement of clutch-teeth 41 on sleeve 48 withclutch-teeth `40 on the low-speed carrier 30 and engaging clutch-teeth48 on sleeve 46 with clutch-teeth 4| on the high-speed carrier 33, untilthe carriers, respectively, and the clutchsleeve are rotatingsubstantially at synchronous speeds. This balk-ring has limited rotationon clutch-sleeve 48 and is provided with a conical friction-face 18engageable with a mating friction-face 'I1 on the low-speed carrier 30and with a conical friction-face 8| engageable with a sleeve 40, whichis selectively operable at the' high and low speed ratios as beforedescribed. A planetary pinion carrier |22 comprises a hubsection |2|which is splined. as at |23, to the propellenshatt b. The hub-section|2| is locked against endwise movement on shaft b between bearing d anda collar d' by a nut d. A sunwheel l0 is provided with a hub 8| which islournalied, and secured against axial movement by `collar d', on thehub-section |2| of carrier |22.

Clutch-sleeve 44 is slidabiy splined, as at l2, to the outer peripheryof hub 3| ot sun-wheel 50. Sun-wheel 30 is provided with an integralexternally toothed sun-gear |24. An annular series of planetary gears|32 are journalled for rotation on stud-shafts |83 which are integralwith and extend rearwardly from the carrier |22 and mesh with thesun-gear |24 on wheel 50. A ring |34 is iixedly secured, by bolts |35which extend through stud-'shafts |30 and a ring Ill which is tlxedlysecured in the casing-section i1, and is provided with a toothedinternal gear |36 which meshes with the outer portions of the gears |32.

lropeller-shaft b is driven from clutch-sleeve 48 which is driven by thetwo-speed planetary reduction gearing. by wheel 50 which is spllned toand driven by clutch-sleeve 4t; sun-gear |24 on wheel 50, the planetarymovement of pinions |32 produced by their engagement with the stationaryinternal gear |35 on stationarily supported ring |24, and the rotationimparted to carrier |22 by the planetary movement oi. pinions |32.Carrier |22 rotates in the same direction as and is driven at a lowerspeed than the wheel 60 and sleeve 46.

Propeller driving-sleeve c is also driven from the clutch-driven Vwheel50 by an externally toothed gear |28 which is secured by bolts to wheel88 which is splined to sleeve 46. An annular series of pinions |28 arejournalled on studshai'ts |30 which are integrally formed with ring |3|which is secured in casing-section l1. The sleeve c which drives onepropeller is provided with an annular flange |44 to which is secured bybolts |44, a planetary pinion carrier |43. An annular series ofplanetary pinions |48' are lournalled on stud-shafts |48 which areintegral with and extend forwardly from the carrier |43. A drum |40 islocated endwise as at |40a on the rim of carrier |43 and is providedwith an integral internally toothed gear |4| which meshes with the outerportions of pinions |20 which rotate on stationary stud-shafts |30 andis also provided, at its forward end, with an integral toothed internalgear which meshes with the outer portions of pinions |40 which arejournalled for rotation on their own axes on stud-shafts |48. A ring |03is stationarily secured in the front gearcase section Il and is providedwith an integral externally toothed gear |02 which meshes with the innerportions of planetary pinions |48. Drum |40 is supported on carrier |43against endwlse movement between a bushing |41' axially located by ashoulder |41B in drum |40, and by a collar |41. Pinions |20 are rotatedon stationary studs |30 by gear |28 and impart rotation to the drum s8,548,468 Meandtheinternalgearlliandtheinternaiinwhichtheplanetarygear-eetsfordriving gearlllthereon.Internalgearlll,inooaetionVshaftbandsleevec.x'espectively.anrithegearwiththeexternalgearlllhnpartsplanetarymeansforreversingthedirectionoftheplanemovement to pinions i whichimpart rotation tary gear-set for said sleeve relatively to saidtocan-ier i whichisiixedtoand drivel sleeves li shaft. are compactlyarranged The planetary in the opposite direction from which carrier i!!seer-setfor driving shattb comprisesan externalandpropeller-ehaftbaredriven. Thepitch digearlll'onwheelil'whichisdrivenbyand 'Ihe relative pitch diameters of gear III and Illon drum itl and the pitch diameter of non-rotatable gear it! areproportioned to drive the carrier Ils and sleeve catthelamespeedastheshai'tbsothatthepropellers will be rotated from wheelIl at the same speed and in opposite directions. This gearing drivesshaft b and sleeve c and the propeller-s at a reduced speed relativelyto the clutch-sleeve Il, thus eifecting a gear reduction from sleeve Il.lvlv'lich is driven by the two-speed planetary gear- In the constructiondescribed, |22, planetary gears III, gear i on the driven-wheel Il, andthe internally toothed gear-ring i constitute a planetary gear-set fordriving the propalier-shaft b; carrier I, planetary pinions ill. gearIl! and gear |80 on drum itil constitute a planetary gear-set tordriving the propeller-sleeve c; and gear I!! on wheel Il. pinions I 2lwhich rotate on stationary axes and internal gear lli constitutegear-means for reversing the rotation oi the carrier I" which drivessleeve c relatively to the direction ci rotation of wheel Il and carrieri!! which drives the propeller-shaft b.

'I'he operation of the mechanism for driving the contra-rotatingpropeller-s will be as follows: clutch-sleeve Il may be selectivelydriven at high or low speed ratlos and at a reduced speed relatively tothe engine-shaft o by Shifting clutchsleeve 48 which is splined andaxially slidable on the hub of wheel 50. Axial shirt of clutchsleeve Ilinto its forward position will engage its clutch-teeth II andclutch-teeth III on the lowspeed carrier Il and drive the propellers atthe low-speed ratio. Rearward axial shift of clutchsleeve 48 will meshits clutch-teeth I8 and the clutch-teeth 4| on the high-speed carrier I3and drive sleeve I6 to drive the propellers at the highspeed ratio.Clutch-sleeve Il will drive the driven-wheel it from the two-speedgearing in one direction. The planetary i118 gear IN on wheel Bl.plnicns |32, carrier [22 which is splined to shaft b, and will driveshaft b in the same direction as and at a reduced speed relatively toclutch-sleeve It and wheel Il. The planetary gear-set comprising carrierI fixed to sleeve c, planetary pinions i, non-rotatable gear III andgear |50 on drum l will `drive carrier |43 and sleeve c inthe oppositedirection and at the same speed ascarrier |22, by the gear |28 on wheelIII, plnions III and gear Ill on drum Ill.

In practice. it ls desirable to include with the driving mechanism Florthis purpose. a wheel Il and provided with a bevel gear ill. A gear |62on a shaft ill meshes with gear itl. Shaft It! is journalled in bearings|63 which are secured to or integrally formed with the wall i1' insection Il of the gear-case. A gear Ill on the upper end of shaft It!meshes with and drives an internal gear Il. on a stud-shaft lil which isconnected to drive the pump.

A modified construction is illustrated in Fig.

`lliafts Ill'i f- Dactly arranged longitudinally.

lplined to the clutch-sleeve 4l; a carrier In' whichhasits hubsplinedtoshaft b andis provided with a series of rearwardly extendingstudseries of planetary pinions in iournalled on stud-shafts lll'; astationary internal gear Ill' on a ring |34' which is ilxedly secured inthe gear-casing. The planetary gearset for driving sleeve c comprises aplanetary pinion-carrier Ill' which is secured to a :Bange Hl' on thehub of sleeve c; planetary pinions Ml' .iournalled on rearwardlyextending studehatts llt' on carrier III. the inner portion of whichmesh with an external gear itl on stationary ring III'; a series ofpinions in journalled on studts III' on a ring lli' which is ilxedlysecured between the sections- Il and Il of the gear-case; an externalgear |28' on wheel Il' which meshes with pinions IZB'; and a ring ordrum |40' which is provided with an internal gear lli'A which mesheswith pinions in' and |48'. The ring MII' is conilned against endwisemovement by the gear-case and is supported by pinions |48 and |10'. Inthis modincation, the gear Ill', plnions |28' and drum cause the carrierlu' to be driven in the direction opposite to the direction in whichcaris driven. The ring |31 ls secured by bolts IIB which extend throughstud-shafts IIB' to ring i3 i Pinions ill' are held on stud-shafts M9 bybolts IM' which extend through said shafts. In the constructionsdescribed for contra-rotationally driving the propeller-s, bothplanetary gear-sets and the gearing for reversing one relatively to theother are symmetrically arranged around the axis of the shaft b andsleeve e. The planetary gear-sets are arranged in close relation and thereversing gear-means are com- The drivewheel Il is journalled on the huboi' carrier |22'. Carrier |22' rotates in the same direction as and at areduced speed relatively to the wheel 5t.

The operation of this form of the invention will be as follows: wheelill' will be selectively driven by clutch-sleeve 4B at the high and lowspeed ratios of the two-speed planetary gearing. Gear III' on wheel Il',in co-action with stationary internal gear |38', will impart planetarymovement to pinions |32', which will impart rotation to carrier |22' anddrive shaft b. Gear nl' on wheel it will drive pinions l29' which arejournalled on tlxed axes. Pnions in' meshing with gear Mil will rotatering Mll in the gear-case. Ring H0', in co-action with gear lli' onstationary ring Ill', will impart planetary movement to plnions |48which will impart rotation to carrier |43' and sleeve c in the oppositedirection from which shaft b is driven. In this modication, thegear-sets are arranged in close relation which is advantageous indriving contra-rotating propellers.

The invention exemplines mechanism for drivlng contra-rotatingpropellers from a single inpnt element. such as a clutch-sleeve, whichis adapted to be driven by two-speed reduction gearing in whichplanetary gear-sets are used for reducing the speed from theclutch-sleeve and gear-means drives the carrier of one planetarygear-set in the opposite direction and at the the carrier ot the otheris` driven. symmetrically disposed around the the shalt and sleeve fordriving the propellers; the torque is produced by a multiplicity similargear-toothed contacts: the gearing radially symmetrical. is compact inconstruction and adapted for driving heavy loads.

The invention is not to be understood as limited to thedetailsdescribed. since these may be modied within the scope ot theappended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Y

Having thus described the invention. what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. Mechanism for contra-rotationaily driving propellers on a coaxialshaft and sleeve. respectively, comprising: a driven'wheel coaxial withand rotatable relatively to the shaft and provided with two externallytoothed gears; a planetary gear-set for driving the shaft from one ofthe gears on said driven wheel; a second planetary gear-set for driving-the sleeve from the other gear on the driven wheel including astationary gear, a planetary pinion-carrier on said sleeve and planetarypinions on said carrier' on the sleeve and meshing with the stationarygear; gears mounted on stationary axes meshing with the second gear onthe driven wheel; and a rotatable drum supported on the carrier on thesleeve, provided with internal gears meshing with the gears onstationary axes and the planet pin-- ions on the planetary carrier onthe sleeve. respectively.

2. Mechanism for contra-rotationally driving propellers on a coaxialshaft and sleeve. respectively, comprising: a driven wheel coaxial withand rotatable relatively to the shaft and provided with two externallytoothed gears; a planetary gear-setter driving the shalt from one o! thegears on said driven wheel; a second planetary gear-set for driving thesleeve from the other gear on the driven wheel including a stationarygear, a planet pinion carrier on said sleeve and planetary pinions onthe carrier on the sleeve and meshing with the stationary gear; gearsmounted on stationary axes meshing with the second gear on the drivenwheel, a rotatable drum provided with internal gears meshing with thegears on the fixed axes and the planet pinions on the second planetarycarrier on the sleeve, the carrier on the sleeve having a rim extendedto nt in the drum and means on the 'drum engaging said rim for holdimthe drum against axial movement 3. Mechanism for contra-rotationallydriving propellers on a coaxial shaft and sleeve, respectively.comprising: a driven wheel coaxial with and rotatable relatively to theshaft provided with a hub and an outwardly extending body-forming flangeand an externally toothed gear integral therewith; a ring separablyfixed to one side of said body and provided with an externally toothedgear; a planetary gear-set for driving the shaft from the gear integralwith the driven wheel including a hub keyed to the shaft and anoutwardly extending flange, an annular planet pinion-carrier separablysecured to one side oi said last-named flange, planetary pinionsjournalled on said annularl carrier and meshing with the gear integralwith the driven wheel and a stationary internally toothed ring meshingwith said planetary pinions; a second planetary gear-set for driving thesleeve from the gear ring secured to the driven wheel including a lplanetplnionoarrieriixedonthe planetarypinionsonthecarrierontbesleeve;

,gearsmountedonnxedaxesandmeshingwitn thegear-ringonthedrivenwheel;andadrum provided with internal gears meshing with thegearsmountedonstationaryaxesandtheplanetary pinions on the carrier onthe sleeve.

Il. Mechanism for contra-rotationally drivingpropellersonaeoaxialshaitandsieevarespectively, comprising.: a drivenwheel coaxial with and rotatable relatively to the shaft provided with ahub and an outwardly extending body- !orxning nange and au externallytoothed gear integral therewith:-a ring separably fixed to one side o!said body and provided with an externally \toothed gear; a'planetarygear-set ior driving the shaft from the gear integral with the drivenwheel including a hub keyed to the shaft and an outwardly extendingflange. an annular planetpinion-carrier separably secured to saidlast-named nange, planetary pinions iournalled on said annular carrierand meshing with the gear integral with the driven wheel and astationary internally toothed ring meshing with said planetary pinions;a second planetary gear-set for driving the sleeve from the gear-ringsecured to the driven wheel including a planet pinion carrier xed on thesleeve, planetary pinions on the carrier on the sleeve, a stationaryexternally toothed gear meshing with the planetary pinions on thecarrier on the sleeve; gears mounted on nxed axes and meshing with thegear-ring on the driven wheel; and a drum provided with internal gearsmeshing with the gears mounted on stationary axes and the planetorypinions on the carrier on the sleeve.

5. Mechanism tor contra-rotational!! driving propellers on a coaxialshaft and sleeve, respectivelyI comprising: a casing. a driven wheelcoaxial with and rotatable relatively to the shaft provided with a huband an outwardly extending body-forming flange and an externally toothedgear integral therewith; a ring separably nxed to one side o! said bodyand provided with an externally toothed gear; a planetary gear-set tordriving the shaft from the gear integral with the driven wheel includinga hub keyed to the shalt and an outwardly extending nange, an annularplanet pinion-carrier separably secured to said last-named flange,planetary pinions Journalled on said annular carrier and meshing withthe gear integral with the driven wheel and a stationary internallytoothed ring meshing with said planetary pinions: a second planetarygearset for driving the sleeve trom the gear-ring secured to the drivenwheel including a planet pinion-carrier on the sleeve, a stationaryexternally toothed gear separably secured to the casing and meshing withthe planetary pinions on the carrier on the sleeve; gears mounted in thecasing on the nxed axes and meshing with the gear-ring on the drivenwheel: and a drum provided with internal gears meshing with the gearsmounted on stationary axes and the planetary pinions on the carrier onthe sleeve.

6. Reduction gearing for driving contra-rotating shafts comprising acasing surrounding the gearing. a shaft and a sleeve coaxlallypositioned relative to the shalt for contra-rotation by the gearing, adriven gearscoaxially positioned relative to said shaft, said drivengear having gear teeth on its periphery. a planetary gear carriersecured to said shaft. planetary gears rotatably secured to said carrierand in mesh with the teeth oi said driven gear. a stationary ringsurroundins and mesned with said planetary gears,saidrinsgearbeinssecuredtotherearportion oi. said casina. a plurality oipinions rotatably secured to the rear portion o! said casing forrotation about iixed axes, said last named pinions heinz in mesh withthe teeth o1 said driven near, a rotatable drum formed to denne teeth onits interior, said drum surrounding said last mentioned pinions andhaving its gear teeth in mesh therewith, a pinion carrier on saidsleeve, planetary pinions rotatably secured to said sleeve carrier, astationary zeer secured to the forward portion ot said casing and inmesh with said planetary gears on said sieeve carrier. said drum alsobein: in mesh with the teeth of said planetary pinions on said sleevecarrier and means for lupportinc said drum for rotation exclusive i);said planetary gears and said planetary pin- FREDERIC E. FUILER. l0

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,654,432 Rowledge Dec. 27, 19272,228,638 Mercier Jan. 14, 1941 2,401,365 Mercier June 4, 1946 2,403,594Gilliard July 9, 1946 FOREIGN PA'I'ENTS Number Country Date 9,413A GreatBritain Apr. 23, 1907 541,820 Great Britain Dec. 12, 1941 847,990 FranceOct. 19, 1939

